The Ag Executive

In this episode of The Ag Executive Podcast, Chyann Stiles sits down with Eric Bream, UnitedAg board chair and a fourth-generation citrus grower in Tulare and Madera counties. Bream shares how he returned to his family farm after a career outside agriculture, the changes he has made to modernize the operation and why UnitedAg’s mission of providing health care solutions for agriculture continues to matter as the organization grows. 

Jeff Merrit, CEO of Axiom Ag, joins the Ag Exec Podcast for a conversation on leadership, innovation, and the realities of running a modern agricultural business. From growth strategy to industry change, Jeff offers perspective on what it takes to lead effectively and stay ahead in a competitive market. Tune in for practical insight on the business side of agriculture and the mindset required to move an organization forward.

Ryan Jacobsen, CEO of the Fresno County Farm Bureau, joins Jason Scott to discuss the evolving role of ag advocacy, key challenges facing growers including SGMA, labor and rising input costs, and how farmers can better engage in policy and public conversations. He also shares insights on leadership in today’s ag landscape and where innovation and technology fit into the future of farming. 

Brendan O’Donnell, CEO and president of DFA of California, joins Jay Visser to discuss evolving food safety risks, audit fatigue and the growing role of data and technology in protecting product quality. He shares insights on building a strong food safety culture, navigating shifting customer expectations and how DFA is helping members manage compliance, training and long-term risk in California agriculture.

Reid Robinson, CEO of Sierra Gold Nursery, joins Jason Scott to discuss leading through agricultural market cycles, making long-term capital decisions in permanent crops and building a culture rooted in quality and consistency. He shares insights on managing volatility, investing in high-value crops, maintaining customer trust and positioning ag businesses for steady, sustainable growth.

Jason Scott sits down with Robert Verloop at the 2026 California Walnut Conference to discuss global market shifts, domestic demand opportunities, rising production costs, and strategies to strengthen the long-term stability of California’s walnut industry.

World Ag Expo Chairman Ron Clark discusses the Expo’s innovation, global reach, regulatory challenges, and its role in advancing California agriculture through technology, education, and international collaboration in Tulare County.

Jason Scott sits down with Zach Frazier, President and CEO of American Pistachio Growers, and discusses industry growth, global marketing strategy, and tackling water, regulatory, and cost challenges facing growers.

Jay Visser sits down with Steve Vasquez, head of the California Pistachio Research Board, for a look at the 2026 season and what could still shape the crop. They cover water conditions, decision tools like the Pistachio Weather Station Network, and where research is focused to help growers.

Rich Kreps shares a pistachio season outlook, market context, and actionable agronomy tips to boost yields, quality, and profitability today.

Cliff Beumel, CEO and president of Agromillora, joins Jason Scott to share what he sees from the front end of California’s value chain. He explains why today’s challenges go beyond a single bottleneck, driven instead by higher interest rates, tighter margins, trade uncertainty and global competition. Beumel discusses the shift toward risk mitigation, how diversification is shaping nursery demand, the cost of delaying replant decisions, and why olives offer a lower-input, domestic-market hedge in a volatile ag economy.

Jason Scott sits down with the JCS editorial team to reflect on the biggest ag themes of 2025 and what’s ahead for 2026. Kristin Platts, Cecilia Parsons and Jay Visser share insights from the field, including efficiency trends, technology adoption and changing grower priorities. They also preview the coverage and conversations shaping West Coast Nut and Progressive Crop Consultant magazines in the coming year.

Jason Scott sits down with Todd Sanders, executive director at California Apple Commission, California Blueberry Commission, California Wild Rice Advisory Board, California Olive Committee and more, to discuss how he fell into agriculture and the everyday fight in Sacramento/DC. Sanders urges retailers to back locally grown produce and spotlights research partnerships that keep California competitive.

Nichols Farms VP of Farming and HotSpot AG CEO James Nichols shares his grower-to-AgTech journey and a water-first playbook built on ET scheduling, automated irrigation and continuous fertigation. He breaks down SGMA compliance, evolving pest pressures in pistachios and what’s next in nutrient dosing and crop protection.

LMG Ag Products CEO Josh Cox shares his farm-to-CEO journey and the company’s service-first playbook backed by transparent pricing and gritty, go-the-extra-mile execution. He digs into the company’s Lodi expansion, shrinking pipelines for new chemistries and AI’s upside for ag.

Jason Scott sits down with Russell Taylor, vice president of Live Earth Products, who shares how growing up in the mines of Emery, Utah shaped his work ethic and passion for agriculture. He also discusses the role of humic products in improving nutrient efficiency, the push for regulatory updates through the Plant Biostimulant Act and why mentoring the next generation is vital for the future of agribusiness. 

Jason Scott sits down with Wayne Sledge, CEO of CultivAce, to discuss his journey from farming to developing acetate-based fertilizer solutions. He shares hard-earned insights into product innovation, sustainability, efficiency and the critical role of balanced crop nutrition in the future of agriculture.

Taylor Chalstrom sits down with Colson Steber, founder and co-CEO of Ag Access, to discuss his journey from a small-town family business to leading a specialized agricultural market research firm, emphasizing the power of relationships, niche expertise and his philosophy of 'relentless, intentional action' to drive strategic impact for agribusinesses.

Jason Scott sits down with Robert Verloop, executive director and CEO of the California Walnut Board and Commission, who shares insights into revitalizing the walnut industry through leadership, innovation and a ground-up strategic approach. Verloop discusses overcoming industry crises, driving market development, expanding global reach and fostering stronger grower relationships, all while positioning California walnuts as a modern, health-driven consumer product.

Jason Scott sits down with John Ballard, CEO of Hungry Planet Organics, to discuss how a promise to protect the planet led to a thriving company focused on soil health, regenerative practices and non-toxic solutions. From launching innovative soil health products to mentoring the next generation of growers, Ballard dives into leadership, education and the soil-first mindset transforming agriculture.

Jason Scott sits down with Zachary Fowler, co-owner of Fowler Brothers Farming, to discuss the importance of strong leadership, hiring the right people and maintaining a hands-on approach while scaling operations. Fowler emphasizes stress-testing decisions and fostering community collaboration to drive innovation in an industry often slow to change.

Jason Scott sits down with Norm Davy, president and chief commercial officer of Tidal Grow AgriScience, to discuss how the company is helping ag retailers and growers overcome rising input costs, pest resistance and soil health challenges through U.S.-made, bioengineered crop input solutions. He also reflects on leadership, grit, sustainability and the future of agricultural innovation.

Jason Scott sits down with Gregg Doud, president of the National Milk Producer's Federation, to discuss the evolving dairy industry, highlighting rising global protein demand, the need for better ag education among policymakers and the importance of technology and sustainability. He emphasizes trade diversification, regulatory reform and industry unity while advising future ag leaders to focus on communication, risk management and strong mentorship.

Jason Scott sits down with Jared Plumlee, CEO of Capstone Ag Management, to discuss his journey from a family farming background to building his own ag management company. He also discusses his commitment to water strategy, personalized client service and creating a lasting legacy for future generations.

Taylor Chalstrom sits down with Matt Plitt, president and CEO of Valent U.S.A., to discuss a forward-thinking approach to agribusiness, blending innovation, sustainability and community engagement. He emphasizes the importance of empathy and transparency in leadership, anticipating industry trends and aligning profitability with sustainable practices.

Jason Scott sits down with Nathan Rosenburg, CEO of Farmblox, to discuss helping growers automate farm tasks and reduce labor through customizable, modular technology. Rosenburg also goes into the future of ag tech, advice for startups and the importance of younger generations in shaping ag's evolution.

Jason Scott sits down with Rob Clayton, senior vice president of retail North America at Nutrien Ag Solutions, to discuss the company's role in grower profitability and sustainability, the impact of soil science, automation and AI, and the importance of adaptability in business growth. Clayton also emphasizes coaching, communication and continuous learning as keys to success. 

Jason Scott sits down with Tom Gauthier, CEO of AgTechLogic, to discuss how precision spraying and data-driven solutions are transforming agriculture, the power of 'prescriptive' agriculture, building a strong ag tech team and why growers should embrace emerging technologies.

Jason Scott sits down with BeeHero CEO Omer Davidi to discuss his transition from cybersecurity to agriculture and how BeeHero is optimizing pollination with technology. He shares lessons from past ventures, insights on ag-tech innovation and the challenges of rising costs and labor shortages. Davidi highlights the role of IoT in farm management, the need for sustainability incentives and strategies for scaling a business in a changing industry.

Jason Scott sits down with Huma CEO Lyndon Smith in this new CEO-to-CEO podcast series to discuss his incredible journey from growing up in the company to leading it through bankruptcy and into global success. Lyndon shares insights into Huma’s growth strategy, including major acquisitions, international expansion and its role in regenerative agriculture. He explains the biostimulant movement, the industry's evolving regulatory landscape and how Huma is working to improve soil health and nutrient efficiency.